Atlanta Motor Speedway will toss out the rulebook this Friday, Oct. 24 when grudge match races will be allowed for the first time ever at Castrol GTX Friday Night Drags.

The grudge races will occur throughout the evening, allowing competitors the opportunity to line up against any other competitor they choose regardless of vehicle specifications.

"We have received a tremendous amount of requests from both competitors and fans wanting to see grudge match racing," said Atlanta Motor Speedway vice president of events Brandon Hutchison. "This is going to add a new twist and the grudge races this Friday night will be some of the most exciting racing of the season."

Championship contending racers wishing to grudge race will be able to do so once they are eliminated from the normal championship rounds of racing in their division.

In addition to the grudge matches, drag race competitors have just three more events to earn their chance to race for the season title in the Championship Bracket Race to be held during Georgia-Pacific NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Qualifying Night on Oct. 26.

To take part in Castrol GTX Friday Night Drags and this Friday's grudge matches, all racers must have a valid driver's license and competitors age 16 and 17 must have a fully-executed minors release form on file at the speedway prior to competition (forms available at the speedway or at www.atlantamotorspeedway.com). Competitors must wear a helmet and have operational seat belts in the vehicle and pass a pre-race safety inspection.

The final two Castrol GTX Friday Night Drag rounds will be held Aug. 31 and September 7. Competitor gates open at 6 p.m. All events include practice drag runs at 6:40 p.m. and elimination runs beginning at 9:10 p.m. Spectator gates open at 6:30 p.m.

Both drag and Show N' Shine competitors entry fees are $20 while spectator admission is only $7. Fans that purchased either a $7 grandstand or infield admission ticket will receive complimentary admission this Friday night by presenting last week's ticket stub. Drag racers who present last week's arm band will receive $5 off this week's admission. A joint drag and show admission is available for $30. Grudge match admission is $20 while championship point racers can purchase a ticket to grudge race for just $10.